Retirement comes with a big disadvantage
No Sundays to look forward to
From today it's eat, drink, sleep
As I leave this prestigious building of....
Amrit Publishers,
I set a new record for myself
No, really.
In all these years
I have changed 73 different jobs
Seventy Three
Never stayed at one place for more than 6 months
This is the only place where I spent 13 long months
I cannot believe it myself
Thank you all for being so kind. Thank you
Sir
Sorry this got a little delayed
Don't worry sir, all zeroes intact
We shall miss your stories, sir
You brightened up our weekends
Wish more people think like you
This is almost brand new, sir
If ever you wish to sell it…..
My car goes where I go
It won’t be able to adjust to anyone else
Who will break the locks of my house and take me out
Which Lord is so obliging?
Who will break the locks of my house and take me out
Hey Tolstoy’s unofficial offspring! Come on out now
Come along
Cheers - Lets cut the cake
British have cut the country in pieces...
now we end up cutting Bengali sweets
(clapping)
Admit that you couldn't afford a cake
A double malt should do. Down with capitalism
Hey wait
(Rabindranath Tagore's music)
- Anuradha….I am feeling sorry for you
- Why?
Tarini has turned 30 today
you know that right?
People go half senile at 30
Bankim, stop it
It’s still not too late for a honeymoon
Get him out of here
if only he gets time off with his changing jobs…..
Am I in the news?
Who else is worthy of it?
Happy birthday….
this looks invaluable
Not as valuable as your stories…..
start writing
- That reminds me It's time for Tarini tales
Let's have it.
Nooooo….not today
Ohh god not again
Anyway you continue
Oops sorry, what was that ?
What did I break?
My expensive vase
My mother-in-law's gifted me
- Her favourite vase. - Oh God, really?
- Just because his mother in law is not around, he has the guts to say this
So what? I am still afraid of her
Shall we begin?
Yes
This story is about a child
A child who wanted nothing at school except marks
but when he stepped into college
he learnt about the other Marx….
The same Marx who had said,
A writer must earn money
in order to live
but he must by no means live for the sole purpose of making money
Fresh coconut water
Mouli
Are you looking for an auspicious time...
to clear this dust?
I have been asking for a new broom since a fortnight
This broom too is looking for retirement
Now that's what I call a metaphor
She is right
Cleaning the cobwebs of the society...
is the storyteller's job
He just doesn't stop
Talking to you is a waste of time
He doesn't notice the dust for months and then...
Please move
I have more jobs to attend unlike you
This is my house. I will stand where I wish to
In that case,
cleaning will be done tomorrow
Hello there Will you stop doing that?
This isn't a toy for your kid
How much for this?
- 80 rupees
It was for 60 yesterday
Pack One kilo of prawns for me
Don’t rush it man
Check the fish out first Look at it's mouth...
If it is red, you know it's fresh
Check at some other shops too
Hey mister
Why do you keep doing this to me
You sold this for rupees 60 yesterday
You too were young once upon a time
What do you say to that? Ridiculous!
Now you have all the time in the world
Go stay with Arindam in the USA
He will be happy to see you
And you can narrate your stories to the little one
That’s all I will end up doing
Then why don't you start writing
At least start writing for Anuradha's sake
Who wants my kind of stories these days
Step aside
You may be mistaken
Hello aunty - Joyoti !!
Sometimes I wonder
Whether she lives in our house or the other way around?
She was talking about you to Joyoti
She was complaining that you won't buy a new broom
Ungrateful capitalist mentality
Didn’t expect this from the service class
Amazing! Delectable!
The fish too must be wishing
for salvation at Joyoti’s hands
Half the credit goes to the quality of fish you get
Why do you have to get it every time ?
I don’t trust Bankim
When it comes to fish, I don't trust anyone
Read that out to him
Listen to this… the world is still looking for storytellers
Must be willing to settle in Ahmedabad
Attractive salary, includes boarding and lodging
Age, gender no bar
- Original storyteller will be preferred
Apply to T 29/4, Ahmedabad 380015
Take a look
Perfect. Just what I was waiting for
You think he will leave Kolkata? This man will never step out
He is hooked on to the fishes of Johu bazaar
Delectable!
Sumptuous!
Exquisite !
Hello - Grandpa
Chhotu!
I looked around
but I couldn’t find the alligator with dentures, did you?
Aah!
So you miss Grandpa’s stories?
Grandpa, why don't you come over?
Sorry dad, I was traveling How are you doing?
I am fine
The house help comes on time,
I get my fish at a fair price,
The office has gifted me a brand new watch
It shows the time in America too
- Why don't you come over for a holiday dad?
That country, capitalist blood sucking Dracula
- Ohh! come on dad
- The world is going ahead only because of capitalism
- Mark my words, soon India will follow suit…
I will be gone before that happens,
Leave that
When are you coming to India?
Dad, no holidays this time
So they bought over your holidays too
Long live capitalism
- You shouldn’t be talking, dad
- I am at least stuck to one job for decade
And look at you 10 jobs in one year
Don't talk like your mother now
Whatever…..and for God's sake don’t fight with Mauli.
If she quits, it will be tough to find another one
Bankim is playing the spy on me ?
Feluda's deadly partner, Topchi
Why do you keep calling Bankim?
I've heard that you've applied for a new job?
Yes and they have called me for an interview too
Hasn't your spy informed you?
- Dad, I am concerned about you
Stop worrying about me
I am fantabulously fine Goodbye
I should have known you were always this strange
Let's not even talk about vacations
You still have 10 minutes to go, think about it again
You haven’t landed the job yet
Don’t blame me for it later.
I will be in touch with you
Make sure you clean my car every day
When was the last time...
I did something for the first time
Make sure you wash her daily
Bye
Don't forget to call
What are you doing here, mister?
Looking for someone?
Who do you want to meet?
Mr. Garodia
And who are you?
Tarini Bandhopadhyay from Kolkata
I am here for the interview
This advertisement
in the paper…. I am here to meet your master
Do you have an appointment?
Are you the one doing the hiring ?
People like you keep coming every day
Come back with an appointment
I have come to a new land….
The tattered boat I came in, sank in mid waters,
and I floated to the shores.
I have come to a new land….
The tattered boat I came in sank in mid waters,
and I floated to the shores
I have come to a new land….
Manikchand
The tattered boat I came in sank in mid waters,...
Listen, I don't see any guard dog here
There is no dog…
Just a board to keep people like you away
You look like a guard dog
Mister Garodia
All the way from Kolkata?
You must be tired…. be seated
Picasso! Weeping woman
It’s a copy….
Obviously….
if it was the original,
there would be guards with guns outside the bungalow….
War and Peace…
Did you actually manage to finish it?
I don't get time to read
I buy them
I believe that if there are books around me,
The knowledge will slowly get transferred to me
You see Mr. Tarini,
I read only one kind of book…
my account books
Oh
Your account books are as heavy as War and Peace
That means big business….
Its ancestral. Cotton exports
So your school is somewhere close-by?
School?
I have always managed to stay far away from school
Don’t you need a storyteller for your school kids?
I don’t own a school
Actually…I needed a storyteller…..
for myself
Let me explain
I have everything, all the material wealth
Everything, except sleep
Its a disease
Chronic inso-mania
Insomnia
Exactly Inso - mania
Not-so-rich people like me get good sleep
Insomnia is a rich man’s disease
It's the side-effect of capitalism
Well, I am not the one who travelled all the way from Kolkata
Breakfast?
If you think what I am suggesting is weird,
you are free to leave right now
My only request to you is
Don't talk about my offer to others and mock me
Someone had once said....
sleep is like the interest we pay
to keep ourselves away from the capital of death
But I am unable to
pay this interest….
And that has
affected me mentally and physically
It's affecting my business too
Hmm
Shall i suggest a cure?
Why don't you try sleeping pills with warm milk?
Half an hour before going to bed
I have tried everything, but nothing has worked
Then a doctor in America suggested that
I should count sheep before sleeping….
As they say 'Count Sheep'
The sheep went off to sleep but I was still awake
Then, I consulted Mrs Kalyanpuri, my local doctor
She suggested Grandma's good old remedy
I am sure you remember
How we slept like babies...
when our grandma would tell us stories...
I may not sleep like a baby anymore but at least
can hope to doze off a bit
You want Grandma’s tales at this age?
Hey, this is not a formal interview
but you need to know this....
There were quite a few people before you
who responded to my advertisement
Some locals from around here
But I wasn't impressed by any of them....
Why ?
You know how things work here
All we care about is stock market, share price etc
We are all good at becoming rich overnight but storytelling? Thats not we are good at
I have heard that in Bengal every house has a storyteller….
So Mr. Tarini
You think you stories will put me to sleep?
I shall surely try
Let me warn you
I am not an easy patient
Gorky had said….When things come easy, one becomes stupid
- Gorky? - Maxim Gorky!
You have his books on your shelf
Ohh Yes... Yes
No more., Thanks
Our food is very different from what you eat back home
Pure vegetarian
That's ok. Anyway, I was tired of eating fish everyday in Kolkata
Delectable
Disgusting, Awful
I felt like a cow eating all that vegetable
Mr. Garodia will see you at 8
He’s both a vegetarian and a capitalist
No wonder he doesn't get sleep
My friend, you were keen to hop on that train
I am sure you can find fish there...
Fish? Here? Impossible
Where do you think the Sabarmati river flows through?
Oh yes!
And how will I smuggle the fish inside this house?
So what shall I do?
Shall I send you a parcel from here?
Fish!
The cat has stolen the fish
Thief!
Everyone is a thief here
What do you mean?
Garodia has a gun with him
Could it be possible that
he has killed people to set up his palace?
Capitalist…..
No he could’t have killed anybody
Or could he ?
Maybe that's the reason why he can't sleep?
Let's wait and watch Today's trial session…
can't say what might happen.
What could happen….
Even if he's sleepy, your stories will keep him awake
Good night
There! You're finally traveling
Happy?
Please come in..... take a seat
best quality cotton
I export these to millions
With the promise of good sleep
And yet I am awake through the night
So can we hope to get some sleep tonight?
Please be seated
Just sit back
and relax
and stop exercising your brain for a while...
Close your mind... totally
How can I stop something which hasn't begun yet?
According to reports...
those who suffer from insomnia have higher IQ
Intelligent people rarely get sleep
Is that so?
What kind of stories do you narrate?
Original stories
Unabashedly, invariably original
After all your idea of getting a storyteller...
to help you sleep is also original
Sounds good
Where do you get your supply of stories from?
Everything is not about supply and demand Mr. Garodia
I cook up stories just like that
Weaving stories is a habit
Just like that? - yes Since when?
Since childhood
How do you...
guarantee that your stories are original?
I can’t possibly give you a written guarantee card,
like you do in your business
You can check for yourself Tell me,
what subject should I narrate a story on?
Tell me a story of......
This chair
A chair?
Ok
If you don’t mind, May I?
I didn't know that you smoke
I don’t smoke regularly,
only when narrating a story
This is my magic wand
Fuel for the brain
Once upon a time....
in Aravalli’s peaceful,
wild forest,
birds and animals lived with freedom and joy
Birds would sing freely…. Waterfalls would flow freely…
everyone was happy, not caring about the rest of the world
But they were not aware that
all this tranquil is soon
going to be destroyed….
And just then there was thunder and storm….
And then lightning struck
The men ran for cover
And took shelter under a huge tree
And when the rain stopped and the sun's rays peeped out...
The woodcutter began axing the very tree which gave them shelter
Homes and lives were destroyed
Destroyed forever
And then the seed of that tree gave birth
to a brand new forest….. a concrete jungle
What do you think?
He's cracking a joke at your expense
I know that
I may be an illiterate but not a fool
Then, why are you keen on letting him stay on?
I can see my dreams through his stories….
But you didn’t sleep a wink last night
Dreams are not what you see with your eyes shut
They are what you see when you are wide awake
Trust you to play with words
Sorry I am late
I overslept
Doesn't matter, Mr. Tarini
At least one of us managed to sleep
Your story was so fascinating
Feel like skipping work today and listening to more of them
Ahh. Thanks Manikchand
Manik? What about the fish
No. The greens, I mean vegetarian is good enough
That's not what I meant
The cat ate up a goldfish
Manik , Replace the fish
And make sure the tank is closed
You enjoy the flatbread
Ohh yes., the flatbread
- It's delicious
What's up ? You are here too
- Excuse me - Yes?
Can I get this issued?
Tagore?
This has not been issued since a long time
Your favorite author ?
Where words come from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms toward perfection
Are you a member of this library?
I haven’t seen you here before
No, I am not a member
In that case, will you please fill this form?
Name, address, Reference
May I borrow your pen?
Reference.
Is Tagore’s reference good enough ?
Local reference….
Is the photograph necessary?
Any passport size picture will do
I have no such picture with me.
And I don’t like a picture with my neck chopped off.
So many complications for a book
Tagore doesn't come easy
By the way, Das is also a Tagore fan
Das?
Gurcharan Das…the famous playwright? he was my ex….
We had met a writer’s conference
Rs 100 deposit please
Thank you sir
Where will I get some fish here?
Fish to eat?
In the library?
Is there a fish market nearby?
Bhatiyar Galli fish market, near Gandhi market,
pretty close from here
So…does your husband buy fish from there?
So you are trying to guess if I am single
No. I saw the ring and thought perhaps….
Thank you…
Tarini Bandhopadhyay
Suzy Fibert
Suzy
I shall return the book in 4-5 days
I will waive off the penalty
The tiger for the forest. The birds for the trees and the fish for the water
Extraordinary! Amazing.
Did you prune all these trees yourself ?
What do you think?
Why do you keep sulking ?
Have you forgotten how to smile?
Why was Garodia getting upset the other day?
If the cat gobbled the fish, how is it your fault ?
Wild cat
Here, take this
It’s fish
For the tank?
It’s for me
You can give the leftovers to the cat
That way the fish in the tank will be safe
and you will be safe too
You think we will cook fish in this house?
Actually… I don’t fancy fish too much
not even when I was in Kolkata.
But the fish talk in the morning made me homesick
Go on. Take it It's only food
Are you crazy?
If Garodia comes to know, he will fry me like a fish...
Aaaah! I am almost drooling...
Just once.
Will never ask you again
But...
I know nothing about cooking fish
How was it?
Being a Bengali, I ate what you cooked out of respect for the fish
It's the first time I had a sweet-dish made of fish
Make some paste of garlic and ginger
You will need lots of it
I shall teach you how to cook fish tomorrow
Tomorrow? You had said only for a day!
If boss comes to know, I will lose my job.
If you make it every day, he will never come to know
Take this away
Please come
How’s your tummy now?
What's wrong with my tummy?
Manikchand was saying...
you got some tummy bug
Well. In Kolkata, we eat dinner by 6 pm
6 pm is a good time
Do you write too?
These are account books
I will never be able to write stories the way you do
I am not able to write stories either
I just narrate them
You mean..
You have never written down your stories ?
How come ?
No particular reason
I have been grappling with the plot points of my life…so….
Plots
If you were writing, your books would sell like hot cakes
Who knows?
What if it didn’t work?
Tonight… shall I narrate my story to you?
Sure. Just don’t steal my job
Wish I had your calibre
I have....
tried to write a small poem
Possible to get your magic wand?
Water?
It was me
and it was you
Our love died a silent death
I still regret...
That you and me couldn’t become one
Cut the fuss.. Lets have a shot of Rum
I get it.
- I got it too. Your poem
A painful saga of unrequited love
Love's labour lost
Really?
So that comes through, doesn't it?
If I may ask...
Who is she?
Let it be....
How does it matter?
Saraswati
I was 35 then,
she was my neighbor
And?
Saraswati chose to get married
to an IAS officer
And you chose not to get married at all?
I continued....
grappling with life’s plot points….
Copy cat
But look around
This mansion, this business…
I have set it all up on my own
And where is she now, in spite of being so well educated?
This world
is not for the thinkers
It's for the doers
So...
what kind of story will it be today?
Would you like to listen to a contemporary story?
Or classic? Or fairy tale?
A happy story!
(pigeon flutters)
This story is about a pigeon…
Not an ordinary pigeon but a special one...
used as a spy during World War II
It was trained to deliver messages to German soldiers
That particular day, he had a top secret message
which could help save 50 million people’s lives
But…..
The pigeon gets trapped in a net
And breathes its last in the soldier's hand
The secret message was not to be found
And the course of history was changed
Where is Tarini?
He should be here soon for breakfast
Keep this safely in the drawer
Manikchand
- This doesn't seem like the fish from the tank
This is thanks to Tarini...
So sorry. Shakespeare and Premchand got me delayed
I will have what he’s having
Have you seen the famous coffee house in Kolkata?
Do you remember that Manna De song?
“Come join the coffee house gang.. ”
What memories…
Manna Dey
- What memories of this coffee house!
We used to come to this place very frequently...
We used to take that table right there in that corner....
Das and you?
No, Bond and me
James Bond?
Ruskin Bond
Ohh Ruskin
Before Das. Bond was the Shakespeare of our college
Can you imagine?
He published his first book at the age of 16
People spend all their lives writing one book
And he finished writing a book at the age of 16
And then what happened between the two of you?
If you don’t believe me, that’s okay.
I am not forcing you to
I believe you
Thank you
Go ahead, relish it
The longer I stay the more fish you get
Don’t forget that, my friend
Dear Manikchand,
The fish was slightly raw
Should have gone easy on the sourness too
Let's next try prawns for a change
Prawns?
Lets cook prawns together
Tell me
How are you, dear doctor?
Did your patient get any sleep?
Not yet,
but I have started liking this place
I am thinking of settling down here
What are you saying, comrade?
Have you turned into a capitalist too?
Or have you started liking the fish from Sabarmati?
The library here is quite interesting
More interesting than the greats, Vivekananda, Bankimchandra
and Saratchandra?
When I come for the Durga Festival, I shall explain
It's a deal then
The festival will get more colorful with your tales
Good night
It's all over
He is a goner
He says Ahmedabad is interesting
Manikchand was saying that you have been eating only boiled food recently….
All good with your health?
That's because your Gujarati meals make me sleepy
You are unlike the other Bengalis...
You are so serious about your work
No strikes or rallies
By the way, most of the great story writers are from Bengal, right?
Tagore and that…Devdas
You mean Saratchandra.
Devdas is the name of his book
Whatever, I know all these names
Gujarat also had a great writer…. Gandhi
Very true
What was the name of Gandhi's autobiography?
I am worried… what if your stories succeed?
Then you will have no job
I should have taken up the job of a night watchman
I would have both the job and security….
Job…security…
You are a witty man
So how do you spend your time in Kolkata ?
I go to Victoria memorial….
Every Sunday,
especially during winter season
Soak in the early morning sun. it is intoxicating
Some day I hope to experience your heaven
This is.... where I proposed to Saraswati.
Those days it wasn’t the trend to get down
on your knees and offer a ring….
I asked her in my own style…
got her a cup of tea and then I proposed….
Oh so you brought me to this place with a purpose
She was so brutally honest
"Buying cheap cotton from Pakistan"
"and then selling it to Indians is not business."
"Even the British did the same thing…."
She never could understand the real me
It’s her loss
You are so successful…. and cultured.
After that you never had the chance to speak to her?
I spoke to her a few days back…
that was after years
She lost her husband in a car accident last year….
They had no offspring
No issues? Then there is no issue.
She must have heard of your success
These things don’t matter to her
The goddess of knowledge, Saraswati doesn't like Laxmi, the goddess of wealth
She goes for the cerebral kind like you
Love… What is love?
Can you explain it to me?
Love is a promise,
It’s almost impossible to fulfill that promise
Quintessentially delusional
Hmmmm
Did you love your wife….Anuradha?
Absolutely.
If Anu was around today, she would have rescued me from myself.
That’s such a deep thought
I need someone to rescue me from myself
You don't really need a storyteller...
you need someone to change your perspective of life….
Do you really have to go back ?
Yes. For the Durga festival
Bengalis can't give up two things….
Fish and the Durga festivities
You will be back, won't you?
Of course
I am not Saraswati to abandon the goddess of wealth
I will be back in ten days.
Leo will miss you
Leo?
Leo Tolstoy
Shall I send a replacement from Kolkata ?
This library prefers the original Tarini
Original
Has the latest issue arrived?
Sorry madam. All the latest editions have been issued.
I had asked you to reserve one for me
Sorry it’s on first come first serve basis
Please call me as soon as you get a copy.
Don’t make me wait so long for Gorky’s story
I told you to keep a copy for me
Making me climb these stairs for nothing
Oh its great to know
that people like translations of Gorky too
Oh it's not the Russian Gorky she is talking about
This is a local Gujarati Gorky
Gujarati Gorky ?
You have learnt to read the local language already?
No, still the hapless Bengali.
Who is this?
This is Gorky
He has recently started writing…
And he’s already making a name for himself.
He is so popular
No this isn't. ... - Obviously not. It is his pen name.
I have heard that he’s a local cotton baron…
Maybe that's a rumor.
Have you read his stories?
- Which Gujarati person wouldn't have ?
And your favorite story is…..
- Every story is fascinating.
- This one is about a spy pigeon in World War II.
- But my favorite is his first one…..
- The story set in Aravalli forest… about a 100 year old tree.
- Which a businessman along with his men had come to cut down
- And then it started raining and the men took shelter under that tree
- And later they cut down the very tree that sheltered them
O Army of pain
March with me to battle
The rival has a smiling face but poisonous heart.
I revel in battle but will he ever be captured?
I design the war but will he ever be captured?
The turmoil within overwhelms me
Even today these structures look so splendid. Doesn't it?
Reminders of British imperialism
Come on
The British have done some good work too
They looted the country
and filled their own treasures.
Only royalty gets their history written
One needs to pick up the pen
to write history too
Manik, this smells of fish
But you were okay with him eating fish
I have heard that
eating fish makes the brain sharper....
Some day, cook fish for me too
Comrade Tarini has joined hands with a capitalist
Try this.
I made a mistake.
I should have listened to my fellow comrade’s advice
You are looking younger by the day
Seems like Ahmedabad suits you.
Absolutely.
That’s a secret….
In fact, a story
Oh let’s hear it. Tarini tales
Thank you
Tarini is a good human being.
What do you think Manik?
By the way, Saraswati used to say that
I am also a good human being.
But a good person is ultimately left with nothing
- You still choose to be my friends,
in spite of knowing that I am a loser
This is a true story
Story of my life
I would never want to narrate such a story...
A story stranger than fiction…..
I have no complaints, Manik.
I got everything….
success, power, money...
except Saraswati.
Without her I feel incomplete.
- Just that I never had the courage…..
to pen down my own stories
Worried that the world would think I am no good.
I had no confidence in myself
Now I don't feel bad about that any more....
Comrades
My stories have been published
And people are liking them too
- I didn’t do all this for money.
Wanted to prove to her that I am beyond just a businessman
I just hope for some love and respect from her
Don't let Garodia get away with this
Why?
Because he achieved something that I couldn’t?
He has immortalized me.
What say?
So what if the stories don’t carry his name….
After all they do belong to him
I am merely a medium
through which his stories got their identity and exposure
And he’s also the medium
through which I get my respect
So aren't we even?
Sir, aren't you afraid of Karma?
I am
But then it's also possible
That I am helping Tarini pay for his past sins....
Who can escape Karma?
Look at Garodia,
He can’t catch a wink on the very bed that he makes
But how does that help you?
You are still living with your fear….
I feel like a new man
Maybe that's the change in myself that I feared
Saraswati thinks I am a prominent writer.
She should never know the truth….
…and of course, Tarini shouldn’t know it either
Or else he will stop narrating stories
Along with everything else my story also ends here
This is the last installment of Tarini tales, A true story
The good suffer pain. ...
O the naive, good man
The good suffer pain
While evil slashes its whip
Why do the good suffer thus ?
Time passes, days go by
The good is never benefitted
The one who harvests and feeds all
is left with an empty vessel
It's the good who end up suffering
Hail Goddess Durga
All cheap Chinese imports
Garodia and the Chinese have one thing in common
Both make original copies
That jerk of a cotton ball. Forget him
Let’s get on with our purchases
I’m not upset with him…. i’m upset with myself
Me…Tarini! Who claimed that
no one can make a fool out of me
Tarini!
They’re expecting us at the festivities.
Tarini?
Tarini
Do you know the meaning of my name?
What is it?
Durga
The one who vanquishes her enemies
The undefeated
- But I’m a fake
Just a fake namesake
- What’s wrong with you dad? Are you serious?
So the news has spread
Hang on
Even Bankimchand, the writer is no match for our Bankim
He broadcasts everything about me
Go on
It’s not about Bankim, dad…. Garodia is a fraud
No, he's an illusionist A hero of our times
Garodia is himself a story
He will soon run out of stories to publish...
So I’d better rush
I give up! You’re impossible
In your own capitalist language…
He pays me monthly salary
Whether he sleeps over my stories or gets them published....
That is none of my business
I am what I am...thanks to him
He completes me
Dad
Look at it like this…
The money I earn this time, pays for my ticket to America
I can buy the tickets for you
No way. it’s got to be my money…
Not the currency of a capitalist country!
Suit yourself dad
What time is it there?
It’s 8 am here
Then get to work Goodbye
You could have at least called up and informed before arriving....
If I had informed you, would you cook fish for me?
Moron
I’m glad my house appeals to you!
At least it’s a beginning.
some tea?
Is there someone with Garodia upstairs?
Who is it?
Let me take your bag
Greetings Tarini
Mr. Garodia! You missed me, didn’t you?
Good evening… Tarini Bandhopadhyay
Hello…Saraswati
So you are Saraswati
Garodia is absolutely effusive about his adulation for you!
Oh really? What does he say about me?
Anyway, Swati when did you arrive from America?
I’m Saraswati, not Swati
Sorry
I mistook you for Swati… his cousin in America
This is my friend from Kolkata.
Will stay with me for a few days
That’s nice. We’re old friends too
What do you do?
I’m in Garodia’s line of business.
He sells cotton, I spin yarns
That's nice
Manikchand,
Please take Tarini to his room
I mean, the guest room
Good to see you
Interesting man
Goddess of knowledge tells the goddess of wealth
that Durga is interesting.
Welcome back
Come in
Good evening
What have you got with you?
That's Rabindra music
We haven't had too much luck with only stories
So some music therapy should help
That's the second line of treatment
[music plays]
Oh, by the way, congratulations
What for?
Saraswati. She's a very elegant lady
Nothing on the cards yet.
So why not gift her a ring?
Or write a sweet love letter....
Maybe even a story to impress her...
No! I could never match up to your imagination
Oh I could never match up to yours
What have I done?
Trying out storytelling as a cure for sleeplessness
I could never have thought of such a brilliant idea
So what’s it going to be tonight?
How about a love-tragedy?
The story of my life
Bring it on.
I see everything clearly now
This story is about a charismatic princess.
Who transformed herself into a brave warrior
So brave that she sent shivers up anyone even thinking of eyeing her kingdom...
Her rivals, marauders and dacoits....no one could dare be on the other side
Praise the Lord!
How do you come up with these wonderful stories?
You deserve a bonus
Please continue
Manikchand, have you given the fish their feed?
Will do so now sir
And the bait, his fish?
I see a big change in you
I meant your thought process.
So what’s your latest story about?
I haven't really thought about it yet
I can weave a story around anything
This step-well, or even the tea- vendor outside
Money doesn’t interest me anymore
What makes you write then? Is it the adulation?
Remember the last time we were here?
The water had risen up to those steps
That’s where I proposed to you.
Maybe. So?
So, I am guessing by now you have read my thoughts
Tagore was missing you
Only Tagore was missing me?
Shhhh…they are all watching
Who ?
All the greats
I missed Tagore too
It feels like he never stopped writing.
So many unheard stories.
The Durga festival must have been inspiring
Yes, this time I felt more encouraged...
Sadly the garba festival here has become a loud, commercial affair
The craft of converting art into business
Sorry, no fish on the menu.
Karma has caught up with me
No more cheating
I understand how you feel.
But some day you’ll realize my worth
The event begins at 4
You could come around at that time.
Will you be attending too?
No, I’m traveling.
Good morning Mr. Garodia
Good morning
All well with the world?
Yes…
Did you hear from Saraswati?
- Please get in
You must have visited this place many times
No
You haven’t visited the step-well despite living in Ahmedabad?
It isn’t going to disappear.
I shall visit it at leisure.
How about going there tomorrow?
I work all day…and you?
In fact, isn't it strange that you haven't told me what you do?
You wouldn’t believe it
Try me
I put people to sleep
Put people to sleep?
Like in Godfather? Mario Puzo?
No
I am not capable of going that far
I lull a businessman to sleep by telling stories
A storyteller?
I should have known
So who is this owl of a businessman who needs a story as sleeping pill?
Ratan Garodia
Gorky?
Come in Tarini…
Manikchand said that you wanted to meet
I was going to call for you tonight.
Please be seated
Are you alright?
Yes. Why?
I was concerned about you
I haven’t slept a wink since last three nights
I haven't slept since thirty years
Sorry, but I am trying my best
Your condition makes me restless
Seeing you awake makes me sleepless.
Cut the poetry, narrate a story
I need to talk to you
Sure
It’s been 3 months since I returned from Kolkata.
We have tried every trick possible
with no effect on your insomnia
Why are you saying this?
It’s not fair that I keep getting paid, for doing nothing...
We need not give up so easily
Lets keep trying for a few more days
Anyway, you have nobody back home in Kolkata, why would you want to go back?
I am not going back to Kolkata
I am going to America to be with my son, Arindam
Capitalism wins
You won't be taking legal action against me, I hope
Tarini, do you know why I chose you over the others?
I’d rather not know.
I am already feeling embarrassed
I was hoping for a happy end to our story
Never mind. C’est la vie. Such is life!
Good artists copy,
great artists steal
It's Picasso who had said that. A great painter
May I
make one last request?
May I please get your magic wand?
You never know. Miracles do happen
So you got to know, eh?
We’re so much alike
The right person at the wrong place
You want to come to Kolkata with me?
You will get all the fish that you want
I won't take long
Keep an eye on my luggage
No one’s forcing you to go back
I like listening to stories too.
The Last Poem!
I think my time is up in Ahmedabad
And then, Devi has invited me to visit her at her farmhouse
Who's Devi?
Mahaswetha Devi, the great writer!
We met while we were in the university
She’d like to discuss her new book with me
Would you like to come along?
You’re back to torture the dead fish?
She died, longing for me.
I can see it in her eyes.
It is said-
Whoever the corpse gapes at, that's the killer
How much?
3 for 90 bucks
I’ll take 6!
So you have guests at home? Fish is for him?
Not him, the guest is a her
There you are, madam Amazing Kolkata
Here you go…
Eat your fill
If you were born here,
you’d have been at least a clerk by now!
Greetings
The Gujarati Kala Sansthan takes pride in
conferring this year’s citation on Mr Ratan Garodia.
At this age and in a short time span
He has managed to garner lot of fame
We’d like to felicitate him with a shawl and a memento
We would be honored...
if you could narrate an excerpt
from your latest story
I am told this is bound to become a classic some day....
- Good evening
My new story is about a boy who…
Excuse me
Sorry for the interruption
This may not be the place and time to say this,
but we’ve been reading all your stories with great interest....
And we have to ask you this question
Are all these stories your own creations?
I mean are they original?
Why do you ask?
Well, if that’s so, then we have an offer for you
We could meet after this event
May I read out the excerpt first
Sure
So the story goes like this...
Hello
Yes?
Thanks for joining us
We represent the Rabindranath Tagore Foundation
Here's what we have come for
Shri. Ratan Garodia
The Tagore Foundation
hereby files a legal suit against you Mr Ratan Garodia,
On serious charges of infringement of the
rights of Rabindranath Tagore’s works
For your act of writing
and passing off Tagore’s stories as your own
Damages are also being filed against you
and Gujarati Kala Sansthan for the publication
and printing of these stories, you will be fined 10 lakh rupees
on charges of plagiarising
You may choose to contest this in the Courts
or opt for out- of -court settlement by paying the said amount
What's going on?
I’ve been deceived
My lawyers will speak with you
Their attorneys believe that his earlier stories too
were ripped off from some original stories.
But since no author has come forward to claim them,
he appears to have escaped legal action earlier
You are a genius
Narrating Tagore’s tales to him as your own?
Why didn't you tell us about your plan?
Some sweet-meats taste best in winter.
A good story keeps the twist till the very end
Garodia failed to see
that even copying is an art that not everyone can master
Please
Don't get me wrong
I did all this
just for you.
I could have compromised with your business ethics
But I cannot be with a thief
Wish you all the best
In your business of writing Mr Garodia.
Sir
All zeroes intact sir
We miss your stories terribly
We’d love to have you back.
I ‘m done telling stories for free
Won't do it unless I am being paid
Look after her well
Goodbye!
What now sir?
I shall write
There is a storyteller in each of us….
- even you!
But where will you get your stories from?
Manik who is the real storyteller?
The one who narrates them or the one who writes them?
What are you writing?
An original story
Listen to this…
I’ve called it The Storyteller.
It’s called The Storyteller.
The Bengalis are a different breed altogether.
Once there was a storyteller in Bengal…
Tarini Bandhopadhyay
Will change the name later
He wouldn't pen down his own stories for many reasons
Lethargy, ignorance, fear of criticism...
-But Tarini was of a different mettle.
He was the storyteller
who was hired by a Gujarati cotton merchant to narrate stories
The irony was that Garodia, despite all his wealth,
couldn’t get sleep on the very cotton mattresses he manufactured
And he called for a
Bengali storyteller to change his life